Understanding the stakeholders’ intention to use model-based economic evaluations: an EQUIPT study

Abstract

Background: Despite an increased number of economic evaluations of tobacco control interventions, the uptake by stakeholders continues to be limited. By applying the I-Change Model, this study aims to identify which factors determine potential uptake of (model-based) economic evaluations. Methods: Stakeholders (decision makers, purchasers of services/pharma products, professionals/service providers, evidence generators and advocates of health promotion) were interviewed in five countries, using an I-Change based questionnaire. MANOVA’s were conducted to assess differences between intenders and non-intenders regarding beliefs. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify the main predictors of intention to use a model-based tool. Findings: Ninety-three stakeholders participated. Significant differences in beliefs were found between non-intenders and intenders: risk perception, and motivational factors towards using the tool. In addition, country, attitude, and social support were significant predictors of intention. Discussion: This study is the first to provide a theoretical framework to understand differences in beliefs between stakeholders who do or do not intend to use (model-based) economic evaluations, and empirically corroborating the framework. This contributes to our understanding of the facilitators and barriers to the uptake of these studies.